Packing box or carton



March 8, 1938. R. E. RUTLEDGE PACKING BOX OR CARTON Filed March 7, 1935 I5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Rope t E KL/f/Zdf ATTORNEYS March 8, 1938. R. E. RUTLEDGE I PACKING BOX OR CARTON Filed March '7, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ff'aber/ Raf/e476 BY 'ATTORNEYfi R. E. RUTLEDGE PACKING BOX OR CARTON March 8, 1938.

Filed March 7, 1935 I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 lllllIllllllllllllllllllll INVENTOR. fiofie/ f F Raf/e d/dz BY ATTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE- PACKING BOX R CARTON Application March 7, 1935, Serial No. 9,703

2 Claims.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an improved packing box or carton which is especially well adapted for the merchandising of small fruits and vegetables.

Second, to provide a container of the foregoing character which is simple and economical in its parts and very easy to pack.

Objects relating to details and economies of my invention will appear from the description to 1p follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims. A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a packing box or 16 carton embodying features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the carton blank in the flat.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the carton in inverted position showing the inner bottom closure 0 naps interconnected and the outer bottom closure flaps open.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the carton in inverted position showing the inner bottom closure flaps closed.

Fig. 5 is a view mainly in vertical section through the box and a packing apparatus and packed box prior to removing the box, the discharging of the parts being indicated by dotted lines.

30 Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the box and packing apparatus in packing position.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a modification having perpendicular side walls, the carton being shown in another type of packing form suitable 35 for a straight side carton.

Fig. 8 is a view in transverse section taken on a line corresponding to line 8--8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the modified carton blank in the flat.

a Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the modified packing form.

The embodiment of my improved packing box or carton illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive comprises an integral blank I which is cut, scored 4,5 and folded to provide a square central top member 2 having a window opening 3 adapted to expose the contents of the box for inspection. If desired, the window opening may be provided with a closure pane or panel of transparent ma- 5o terial (not shown). Downwardly and inwardly extending tapered side walls 4 and 5 are connected to the opposite edges of the top member.

Side wall flaps 6 are connected to the opposite edges of the side walls 4 at the corners of the box,

55 the flaps 6 being arranged in overlapping relation with the inner sides of the side walls 5. From the lower edges of the side walls 4 and 5 extend inwardly tapered bottom flaps I and 8 which are adapted to be connected in overlapping pairs to provide a bottom closure 9 for the box. In this way my box or carton is made up of one piece of material, preferably container or box board.

The inner bottom flaps I are adapted to be interconnected first, as shown by Fig. 3, these flaps 10 being provided with opposed interlocking tongues and slits, the slits l0 being disposed parallel to the line of connection between their bottom flaps and the side walls. After the inner bottom flaps I are interconnected, the outer, bottom flaps 8 are closed and interlocked by inserting the tongue ll through the slot l2, this connection preferably being provided with transverse locking means comprising the offset 13 in the slot l2. The arrangement is such that the recess M at the base of the tongue II is held in engaged position with the flap 8 at the end of the slot I2. This locking means prevents the bottom flaps from opening even when supporting the contents of the carton.

It will be observed that the bottom closure flaps l and 8 provide a reinforced or double bottom closure for the box although the blank I consists of but one piece. Further, the bottom closure flaps l and 8 are readily closed and interconnected after the box has been packed in inverted position. While the carton or box may be packed without any packing apparatus at all, I prefer to use the packing apparatus of the character disclosed and claimed in Patent 1,950,961, dated March 13, 1934, to William F. Allen.

As shown by Figs. 5 and 6, such packing apparatus comprises a substantially rectangular frame l5 having side walls !6 hinged thereto and a facing plate I! arranged within and vertically movable relative to the side walls. The side walls of the packing apparatus have inwardly projecting flanges l8 coacting with the facing plate I! in such manner that the side walls are swung inwardly to support the side walls of the box I9 when the latter is inserted in inverted position in the packing apparatus.

The side walls It have central vertical slots 20 for the passage of a pair of opposed handles 2| and a pair of T-shaped tongues 22 connected to the facing plate H.

In packing, the carton blank I is partially set up as shown by Fig. 6 and inserted within the packing apparatus 23 in inverted position with the bottom closure flaps 1 and 8 open as shown.

The facing layer 251 of the contents 25 is then placed in the carton, and after this .the remainder of the contents is poured into the inverted carton to fill the same. The bottom closure flaps are then closed and interconnected while the box is still in inverted packing position. When the-"-- ton 30 having substantially perpendicular side walls 3| connected to the member 32.

The packing box or carton 30 comprises an integral blank 33 which is cut, scored and folded in the manner described above in connection with the blank I. The blank is set up and disposed in inverted position in the packing form 28 and packed. The top layer of small vegetables, such for instance as Brussels sprouts or berries, or whatever commodity is packed therein, is faced in a uniform manner, the bottom of the box remaining open until after it is packed, the bottom being then closed by interlocking the opposing flaps 34 and 35, as pointed out above in connection withgFigs. 1 to 6 inclusive.

In the case of certain commodities, it is deslrable to cover the opening 36 in the topmember 32 with a transparent window pane. Cellophane is preferred, the sheet being placed on the top member within the carton before packing the first or facing layer, or it may be secured in place by suitable adhesive.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that I providea packing box or carton which is economical to manufacture and very easy to pack. The package is highly desirable for merchandising small fruits and vegetables such as Brussels sprouts and the like, although baked goods and various other products may be sold therein. The closed package is strong and durable and not likely to open when filled although made of but one piece of material. 7

I have illustrated and described my improvements in an embodiment which I have found very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Although I have shown and described a certain specific embodiment of my invention, I am fully aware that many modifications thereof are possible. My invention is therefore not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to 'secure by Letters Patent'is:

' 1. A packing box comprising an integral blank out, scored and folded to provide a central top member having a window opening, side walls connected to the edges of said top member, side wall flaps connected to the opposite edges of a pair of said side walls at the corners of the box and being arranged in overlapping relation to and within the inner sides of the other pair of side walls, the flaps overlapping a given one of said other pair being mutually unconnected, and bottom forming flaps extending inwardly from the lower edges of said side walls and being interconnected in pairs to provide a. closure for the bottom of the box, the bottom flaps of said first named pair of side walls having identical opposed interlocking tongues and slits, the slits being disposed parallel to the line of connection between their bottom flaps and the side walls, the bottom fiaps of said second named pair of side walls having a tongue and slot connection provided with transverse locking means, said first named bottom flaps being arranged in overlapping relation with and within said last named bottom flaps.

2. A packing box comprising an integral blank provided with a central top member having a window opening, downwardly and inwardly extending tapered side walls connected to the edges of said top member, side wall flaps connected to the opposite edges of a pair of said side walls at the corners of the box and being arranged in overlapping relation to and within the inner sides of the other pair of side walls, and inwardly tapered bottom forming flaps extending inwardly from the lower edges of said side walls and being interconnected in pairs to provide a closure for the bottom of the box, the bottom flaps of said first named pair of side walls having opposed similar interlocking tongues. and slits, the slits being disposed parallel to the line of connection between their bottom flaps and the side walls, the bottom flaps of said second named pair of side walls having a tongue and slot connection provided with transverse locking means, said first named bottom flaps being arranged in overlapping relation with and within said last named bottom flaps.

ROBERT E. RUTLEDGE. 

